Paid Family Caregiving for Children With Medical Complexity

Area of Science:

• Healthcare policy
• Pediatric nursing
• Family caregiving

Background:

• Colorado's paid family caregiver certified nursing assistant (CNA) program supports children with medical complexity.
• Stakeholder perceptions are crucial for evaluating such innovative healthcare models.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess stakeholder perceptions of Colorado's paid family caregiver CNA program.
• To identify strengths and areas for improvement in the program model.

Main Methods:

• Key informant interviews were conducted with 45 participants (25 family caregivers, 10 administrators, 10 primary care providers).
• Interviews explored program benefits, drawbacks, and impacts on child and caregiver quality of life.
• Transcripts were analyzed to identify key themes.

Main Results:

• The program was highly valued, with benefits including improved parental fulfillment, stable home care, child well-being, and financial stability.
• Drawbacks identified were caregiver mental/physical health burdens, access issues, training demands, and low program visibility.

Conclusions:

• The family CNA program model shows promise for dissemination due to its perceived benefits.
• Further research and program enhancements are necessary to ensure equitable and sustainable home care for children with medical complexity.